WOLLONGONG, NSW PELAGIC TRIP REPORT 24th November 1996
Trip Summary:
After several days of exceptionally cold and windy conditions for November we
were lucky enough to have a calm and very pleasant day. Bird numbers were
down compared to the last few trips, but we still managed to produce yet more
rarities to add to this years tally. This time Little Shearwater of which
we had three,
interestingly two of the birds were noted to be in very heavy moult and
could only
fly what appeared to be short distances.
Also worthy of note were the exceptional numbers of Wandering Albatross,
several of which were caught and banded before being released. Again it was
considered that several races may have been involved namely gibsoni and
exulans. Sperm Whales and Common dolphin were an added bonus.
Lindsay and others also observed 2 birds that may have been Grey Phalarope
potentially new for NSW.
Conditions:
Fine and calm.
Water temperature 19.1C once beyond the shelf.
Departed at 7.15 am and returned at 4.30 pm.
1 metre swell.
5-10 knot changeable winds predominently from the East.
Reached 29 Nautical Miles E of Wollongong.
Those on Board:
A full boat: Graham Barwell, Bob & Gail Berry, Chris Brandis, Mr & Mrs
Stephen Cains, Eric Dempsey, Andrew Dunn, Mark Elwonger, Mike Flieg, Alan
Ford, James Holmes, Jerry Kruth, BIll Maclean, Travis MacLendon, Esther
Murphy, Peter Milburn, Michael O'Cleary, Tony Palliser, Peter Riese, Don
Rathburn, Lindsay Smith and Bob Taylor. (Thanks to all for their support.)
BIRD LIST
Wandering Albatross (12-14) mostly gibsoni + at least 2 exulans
Black-browed Albatross (4) 3 sub adult, and 1 adult impavida
Shy Albatross (2) sub adult
Great-winged Petrel (75+) Many in heavy primary moult
MOTTLED PETREL (1)
Cookalaria type Petrel? (1)
LITTLE SHEARWATER (3) 2 in heavy moult
Flesh-footed Shearwater (15-20)
Wedge-tailed Shearwater (200+)
Sooty Shearwater (3+)
Short-tailed Shearwater (800+)
Fluttering Shearwater (30+)
Hutton's Shearwater (3-5)
Wilson's Storm-Petrel (2)
Australasian Gannet (6+)
Arctic Jaeger (2)
Pomarine Jaeger (9)
Long-tailed Jaeger (2)
Silver Gull (60+)
Kelp Gull (4)
Crested Tern (40+)
Australasian Pelican (6) In the harbour
GREY PHALAROPE (2) possible sighting!
MAMMAL LIST
Sperm Whale (3+)
Common Dolphin (20+)
The next trip is planned is from Sydney on Saturday 14th December.
Places are still available. To make a booking or find out more contact
either:
(Milburn) or (Tony)
Regards
Tony
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